Munroe says he cannot confirm whether the results of the police investigation will be made public

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe. Photo: Dante Carrer

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Reporter

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National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said he could not confirm whether the results of an investigation into police corruption related to voice recordings would be made public.

“I am not involved in the investigation and therefore cannot confirm any aspect of it,” he said on the sidelines of an event at the headquarters of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

He pointed out that the investigation was being led by the British Ministry of Security and Intelligence and was receiving technical support from the US and the UK.

“If there are findings that result in criminal consequences, then that fact will be made public when people go to court,” he said, adding that the attorney general’s office will deal with findings that have nothing to do with criminal conduct.

His comments may leave the public waiting for clarity in a case that has already raised considerable concern and speculation about the integrity of law enforcement in The Bahamas.

Free National Movement leader Dr Duane Sands said he did not accept Mr Munroe’s position.

“I’m sure they are being told more detailed details of the investigation than the general public and for him to suggest otherwise I think is disingenuous,” Dr Sands said. “I think the whole concern about the need for a commission of inquiry is that this has so greatly threatened the fabric of our democracy and to suggest that this would not be made public is an absolute tragedy.”

At the heart of the investigation are voice messages that allegedly reveal a quid pro quo agreement between a high-ranking police officer, a lawyer and two murdered men, Michael Fox Jr. and Dino Smith.

Public interest in the case increased following the events surrounding the voice messages. Days after Sylvens Metayer, a U.S. citizen who posed as a whistleblower, released the voice messages, he was shot during a Facebook Live session but survived.

Michael Johnson, head of the Central Investigations Department, is currently on leave while the investigation continues. Commissioner Fernander confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the investigation, which is being led by the police’s Security and Intelligence Branch (SIB). The Police Complaints Inspectorate will oversee the SIB’s investigation.

Michael Fox Sr., Fox Jr.’s father, claimed his son gave him the voice memos and instructed him to release them when he died, but stated he did not release the tapes himself. Sandra Smith, Dino Smith’s mother, confirmed her son informed her of the voice memos but did not give them to her.

In response to Mr Munroe’s comments, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander indicated that the investigation into police corruption triggered by the leaked voice notes was expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Commissioner Fernander stressed the importance of confidentiality during the investigation and stated that the public would be fully informed once the investigation was completed.

“We want to keep everything under wraps and provide the public with full information once the investigation is complete,” he said. “We don’t want to manipulate the investigation. We are not investigating in the media; they don’t need to know every step we take, but the investigation is progressing very well and several witnesses have already been interviewed.”